Sweeper

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a rotary brush sweeper which is particularly suitable for cleaning the aisles of poultry sheds, the sweeper including a rotatable disc carrying a number of radially extending wire brushes, the disc being provided with means inhibiting movement of the arms in horizontal plane but permitting limited movement thereof in a vertical plane so as to cater for differences in height of obstructions encountered by the bristles during operation.

United States Patent 1191 Horst 1 1 May 15, 1973 54] SWEEPER 3,115,654 12/1963 Zimmerman ..15/49 R 3,130,653 4/1964 TalbOtt [761 Invent f' Wane!" 3,402,647 9/1968 Colizza 6161. ..94/45 A stein, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: June 2, 1971 Primary ExaminerEdward L. Roberts Att -Th M. M h 11 21 Appl.No.: 149,307 omas a [57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data This invention relates to a rotary brush sweeper which June 3, 1970 Canada ..084535 i particul rly suitable for cleaning the aisles of poultry sheds, the sweeper including a rotatable disc [52] U.S. Cl. ..15/49 R, 15/180, 94/45 A carrying a number of radially extending wire brushes, [51] Int. Cl. ..A47l 11/164 the disc being provided with means inhibiting move- [58] Field of Search ..15/28, 29, 49 R, ment of the arms in horizontal plane but permitting 15/50 R, 98, 87, 180; 94/45 A; 51/177 limited movement thereof in a vertical plane so as to cater for differences in height of obstructions encoun- [56] References Cited tered by the bristles during operation.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 698,949 4/1902 Hight ..15/87 PATENTED 1 5 975 SHEET 2 [IF 2 SWEEPER This invention relates to rotary sweepers and is particularly suitable for use in poultry sheds.

In such sheds, the poultry cages are generally arranged either side of an aisle in tiers. However, the droppings quite often foul the aisles which must be scraped by hand and which adds to labor costs. Hence, it is the object of the present invention to provide a rotary sweeper which will quickly and easily sweep the droppings into gulleys arranged at either side of the aisle.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a rotary sweeper including a central web member, a plurality of arms extending radially from said member, bristles on each said arm arranged along the longitudinal axis of the latter; and means for imparting rotary drive to said web member.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sweeper; and

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the web member of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, the rotary sweeper includes a substantially circular frame 1 provided with a pair of spaced struts 2 each having a wheel or castor 3 mounted on each end thereof. Cross-struts 4 serve as the mounting for a motor (not shown), or other similar means for imparting motive power to the sweeper. Fast on the motor drive shaft 5 is a substantially circular web member 6, shown more clearly in FIG. 2, provided with a central aperture 7 for the reception of the drive shaft 5.

The web member 6 is also provided with a plurality of radially extending pairs of cheeks 8 on its upper surface and an internally threaded aperture 9 located between each pair of cheeks. The inner end of each cheek 8 is provided with a slot 10.

Each pair of cheeks 8 is adapted to receive, therebetween, an end of an associated arm 1 1 having wire bristles 12 extending from its underside along a predetermined portion of its length, said bristles being arranged along the longitudinal axis of the arm. The end of each arm 11, remote from the bristles, is provided a transversely extending pin 13 adapted to be received within the slots of the associated pair of cheeks 8. Each arm 11 also is provided with an aperture 14 adapted to register with the aperture 9 formed in the web member 6 between each pair of cheeks.

A threaded screw or post 15, having a head 16, is adapted to pass through the aperture 14 in the associture 9, a compression spring 17 being disposed about the upper end of the screw between the upper surface of the arm 11 and the head 16.

As will be appreciated therefore, each pair of cheeks 8 constitute part of means for mounting each arm 11 on the web member 6 and which inhibit movement of the arm in a horizontal plane. On the other hand, the mounting means also include the slots 10, pin 13, screw 15 and spring 17 which permit limited movement of the arms 11 in a vertical plane to cater for differences in height of obstructions encountered by the bristles 12 during a sweeping operation. Moreover, the amount of play of an arm 11 in the vertical plane is controlled by adjustment of the screw 15 and, hence, the amount of resistance of the spring 17.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that an extremely effective rotary sweeper is provided. The sweeper can, of course, be steered manually by the handles 18 attached to the struts 2.

What is claimed:

1. A rotary sweeper comprising:

a central web member,

a plurality of arms extending radially from and mounted on said member;

bristles on each said arm arranged along the longitudinal axis of the latter;

means for mounting each said arm on said web member, said mounting means including a. pairs of cheeks on said web member, each pair thereof receiving an end, remote from the bristles, of an associated arm therein, each cheek having a slot, and a pin on said end receivable by the slots in each pair of cheeks; and

b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced posts upstanding from said web member, each located between a pair of cheeks, each end of an associated arm having a aperture through which an associated post projects, a head on each post, and a compression spring disposed about each post between the head and the arm, the height of each post being threadingly adjustable with respect to the member such that said mounting means inhibits movement of said arms in a horizontal plane but pennit limited movement of the arms in a vertical plane to cater for differences in the height of obstructions encountered by the bristles during operation; and means for imparting rotary drive to said web member.

2. A sweeper according to claim 1 including a wheeled frame carrying said member and on which the drive means are mounted.

* It! i i 

1. A rotary sweeper comprising: a central web member, a plurality of arms extending radially from and mounted on said member; bristles on each said arm arranged along the longitudinal axis of the latter; means for mounting each said arm on said web member, said mounting means including a. pairs of cheeks on said web member, each pair thereof receiving an end, remote from the bristles, of an associated arm therein, each cheek having a slot, and a pin on said end receivable by the slots in each pair of cheeks; and b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced posts upstanding from said web member, each located between a pair of cheeks, each end of an associated arm having a aperture through which an associated post projects, a head on each post, and a compression spring disposed about each post between the head and the arm, the height of each post being threadingly adjustable with respect to the member such that said mounting means inhibits movement of said arms in a horizontal plane but permit limited movement of the arms in a vertical plane to cater for differences in the height of obstructions encountered by the bristles during operation; and means for imparting rotary drive to said web member.
 2. A sweeper according to claim 1 including a wheeled frame carrying said member and on which the drive means are mounted. 